Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30,437, John Gorham, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Gorham, John
NUMBER
S. 30437 B.L. Mt. 1905-100
CONTENTS
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[Blank lined area for contents]

15652 Massachusetts
John Yorkham
Private in the State of Mass who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Warren of the Regt. commanded by Col. Alden in the Mass line for Dyer's
Cont.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 100 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of July 1833 and Lieut. Genl. Solomon Dorr
Arrears to the 4th of March 1831 $240.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th, 60.00 $300.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by McGregor Clerk, Book 1 Vol 2 Page 29
a letter to A. Ray, 19 Aug. 1835
75 Vincennes
26 Aug 13 Oct 1818 100 June 1818 Belonged to Col 7 Regt.

John Goshorn
23104
Geo Tolson.

DECLARATION, in order to secure the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this twenty ninth day of January , in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty three , personally appeared in open Court, before Hon Nath Paine , Judge of Probate for the County of , now sitting, John Goshorn , a resident of Hardwick , in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
THAT he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he was born in said Hardwick Jan'y 4th, 1759, when he resided until the commencement of the Revolutionary War. After the close of the war he removed to Bane, where he has resided until April last, when he returned to Hardwick, & still resides there. He performed several short terms of service in the Militia early in the war, and in the Spring of 1778, enlisted in the Continental Line, under Capt Benj m . Warren, Lieut. Wm. Curtis, Ensign Bagnall, Regt of Col. Ichabod Allen, afterwards Col. Jno. Brooks, being 7th Mass. Regt. He remained in this company until the early part of 1781, when he was transferred to the company of Capt Wm. White, Lieut. Gibbs, Ensign Ribes, for the Virginia Expedition, and he continued in the same company until the close of the war. During the whole of his last three years' service, he performed the duty of Sergeant , & was honorably discharged at the close of the war.
He is now on the Pension Roll, refers to his papers in the Pension Office for the evidence of his service. John Goshorn
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of this state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Nath Paine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
John Goshorn

We  a Clergyman residing in the  and residing in  hereby certify that we are well acquainted with  who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be  years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
And the court further certify that it appears to them that  who signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the  and that who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Nathan Faine Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester
I Theophilus Wheeler Register Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Gorham for a pension. —
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, the 29th day of January in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three
Theoph s Wheeler Register of Probate Court, for the County of Worcester in Massachusetts

John Gorham.
1515
June 1826
Con 18/2/26
1820
Con
WILLIAM PIGEON, Esq., of the County Court at...

Schedule of the Estate of John Gorham, of Barn in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress of May 1. 1820.
   1 Horse $35.-   2 Cows 30.-   1 Swine 5.60   1 Book Case 2.50   1 Old desk 3.-   1 Common Table 1.50   6 chairs 2.-   Books 6.-   Saddle & Bridle 2.-   Hollow Ware 6.-   Pewter 2.-   Earthen Ware 1.-   2 old Looking Glasses 1.50   Wooden Ware 1.50   1/2 of a Pew in the Meeting House 20.-   $119.60  
I have a wife aged fifty seven years & infirm & unable to labour much; I am unable to support myself without assistance from my country. My occupation is that of a Farmer, and from age and the the fatigue in the service of my country I am unable to labour. I have no property other than that in the above schedule, necessary beds, bedding and wearing apparel excepted. —
John Gorham

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF WORCESTER, ss.
ON this tenth day of July 1820,
personally appeared in open Court, before the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, being a Court of Record, within and for said County of Worcester, established as such by the laws of said Commonwealth, John Gorham aged sixty one years, resident in Barre in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as
follows: I enlisted into the service of the Revolutionary War in the year 1775, into the company commanded by Capt. Barnabas Sears, and the Regt. commanded by Col. Whitecomb; in the same year I enlisted into the company commanded by Capt. Darius Warner & Regt. commanded by Col. Holman then I enlisted into the company commanded by Capt. Tim Page, the Regt. I do not recollect - 1777 - Mar. 10 1778, I enlisted into the company commanded by Capt. Benj. Warren, and in the 7th Mass. Regt. commanded by Col. Scholfield Alden afterwards Lt. Col. Jos. Brooks, and there I served till the close of the war, at which term I had an honorable discharge from the service. I was in the Battle of Dorchester hill, at New York at the time it was taken by the enemy, at White Plains, at Cherry Valley, at Oriskany Lake with the Indians, at Newtown with the Indians Huts, at Phillipsburg, Virginia, at Monmouth Court House, at James town on James River, at the siege of York-town. I have no pension Certificate from the U.S. No 1515. My original declaration was made on the 13th April 1815, before
Judge Parker and I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me, nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
John Gorham.
Sworn to and declared, on the before the said Court.
tenth day of July, 1820
Attest,
Abijah Bigelow  for
I, ABIJAH BIGELOW, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, holden within and for the County of Worcester, do hereby certify, that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the Record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule, is One hundred & nineteen dollars and sixty cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this tenth day of July
1820.
Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Court for the County of Worcester.

Principal Claims John Gorham
admitted
Rec d Dec r 10. 1832

10 Mar '78 - 3 yrs, 4 wks Conf - 8 Jul '79
Jn. Gorham - disch - Brook 57 th Regt Mass For the War - served 5 yrs, 12 months - Disch. 10 Jan 1783 see Discharge in Pension Office

DEPARTMENT OF WAR.
State of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County. }
30 Jan 1818 I, John Gorham aged seventy two years, do upon oath testify and declare, that about or in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight I entered or enlisted into the service of the United States, for the term of "During the War," and served in the seventh regiment of the Massachusetts line, commanded by Colonel Jehaboa Alden , and that I continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the war, when I was regularly discharged from the seventh regiment of the Massachusetts line, under the command of Colonel John Brooks and when I was a Sergeant . I do further declare, that I have never received a Warrant for the Bounty Land promised me on the part of the United States, nor have I ever assigned or transferred my claim in any manner whatsoever:
Therefore, KNOW all men by these presents, that I John Gorham aforesaid, do hereby constitute and appoint Reuben Baldwin to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States, a warrant for the quantity of Bounty land due to me as aforesaid; and my said attorney is hereby fully authorised and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him, for the special purposes above expressed.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Nineteenth day of November 1832.
Signed, Sealed, and Delivered, in presence of
Attest - Sam d Lee
John Gorham
I, Samuel Cutler aged fifty five years, do upon oath declare that I am well acquainted with John Gorham who has subscribed the above declaration in my presence, and do well know him to be the identical person he represents himself to be: and further I know or do believe he did perform the military service therein stated.
Samuel Cutler
State of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County. }
Before me Samuel Lee a one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared the above named John Gorham subscriber to the foregoing declaration, and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto subjoined, to be his free act and deed; and likewise personally appeared Samuel Cutler subscriber to the above certificate of identity, both to me well known to be men of respectability and truth, and made solemn oath to the truth of the depositions by them respectively subscribed. Dated this Nineteenth day of November 1832.
Sam d Lee Jus. Peace.
State of Massachusetts } ss. Worcester County. }
I, Abijah Bigelow Clerk of the Court of Worcester County, do hereby certify, that Samuel Lee Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn, and the subjoined power of attorney purports to have been acknowledged, is and was at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace, in and for the County of Worcester - duly commissioned sworn and qualified by law to take affidavits, &c. and further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice, and verily believe the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said County and subscribed my name at Worcester this 20 th day of November in the year 1832.
Abijah Bigelow, Clk.

23104 John Gorham Man
Surgent 2 years admiral
Notary the Pay Agent. Boston Mass
Geo Tolson Plymouth Mass

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Gorham  George  Gorham  Worcester Co Mass
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Jul 1778 3 — — Sergt Capt Warren Col Allen None — 73 yrs Years week Deputy  
(The War Pension Roll)
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B., who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrates who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

John Gorham N o 1905

Dear Father
name
Correct

State of Massachusetts
County of Worcester
I John Gorham
a Citizen of the United States, now resident at Barnes in the County of Worcester in the State aforesaid, do on oath testify and declare, that in the War of the Revolution, in the month of March AD 1778
I entered and was engaged in the Land service of the United States on the continental establishment, and served accordingly from that time to the tenth day of June AD 1783
as a private soldier & a sergeant against the common enemy, without any interrup- tion or absence: that I belonged to the Company commanded commanded by Capt. Ezra Golum in the Regiment commanded by Col. John Brooks in the Massachusetts line
and that I left the service on the tenth of June AD 1783 by honorable discharge; which discharge is herewith forfurnished and that, by reason of my reduced circumstances in life and poverty, I stand in need of assistance from my country for support, being now of the age of fifty eight years
And I hereby relinquish all claims to every pension heretofore allowed me by the laws of the United States, if any may be or hath been so allowed.
John Gorham
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen pursuant to a law of the United States, entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," made and passed on the 18th of March, A. D. 1818, personally appeareth before me, Isaac Parker Ch Justice of Supreme Court of Massachusetts
the abovenamed John Gorham and after due examination and caution to testify and declare the whole truth, he maketh oath to the statement aforesaid, and subscribes the same in my presence; and, on examination du- ly by me the said Judge, it appeareth to my satisfaction that the said declaration is true.
Witness my hand the tenth of said leaves the day of year after Isaac Parker 1818

John Gorham Payable on the 4 th March & 4 Sept r of each year at the Br. Bank, W th Boston, Mass -
Recorded (Signature)

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES, of the 18 March 1818. John Gorham — late a — Sergeant — in the Army of the Revolution — — — is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts Agency , at the rate of Eight dollars — cents per month, to commence on the 13th day of April , one thousand eight hundred and eighteen —
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES, this Twenty day of June — one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. b. calhoun Secy of War

Worcester Jan'y 29, 1833. W. L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir
I enclose the claims of Messrs John Gorham, & Sam'l Stone - the former al- ready a pensioner under the old Act, but entitled to a Ser- geant's pay under the new one.
Respectfully &c.
Geo. Folsom.

Alb. Aug 13.
Free
L. L. Edwards Esq.
War. Department Washington City
Manufacturing Co.

Keene Conn Aug 12. 35
Sir
I have before me a letter from John Yorkham Sergeant of the 1 st Massachusetts Continental Regt, he served to the end of the war, and has received one hundred acres of land from the U. States in consideration of said service. The state he received a pension under the act of 1818. March 18. 1818. for 996. and in 1833 made application for the benefits of the act of June 1832. and was admitted as entitled to 120 per as deft. which pension he now enjoys. Mr Yorkham wishes to relinquish his stipend under the last mentioned act for the benefits of the act of 15 May 1828 (of which I perceive from the fact of his having served to the end of the war and having drawn pension) he is entitled to.
I must therefore ask the favor of you to be instructed as to the form your office requires to obtain the benefits of the act of 15 May 1828 in such cases.
I have the honor to be Your S r . serv t M c . Way
J. L. Edwards Esq. &c. near Lynn

30 437 INVALID. Rev
File No. 30,437
John Forham Leig. Rev. Rev.
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts Roll.
1,575
John Gorham, Sergeant, Mass Line - 1778 War
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 13 th of April 1818,
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of June 1818, and sent to the Hon. Isaac Parker, Worster, Mass. —
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
Signed by the following
4 months 22/30. $ 37.86
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818 }
Continued
Barre, Worcester Co.

Notification sent to Abijah Pyles Esq. 19 September 1820. Worcester Massachusetts.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq., General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
THESE are to CERTIFY that the Bearer hereof John Gorham Serjeant in the Seventh Massachusetts Regiment, having faithful- ly served the United States Five years & two Months and being inlisted for the War only, is hereby DISCHARGED from the American Army.
GIVEN at HEAD-QUARTERS the 10 th day of June 17 82.
Geo. Washington
By HIS EXCELLENCY'S Command,
Shuball Lewis
4-17-8-0
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
John Marshall Adjutant.
THE above Sergt. John Gorham has been honored with the BADGE OF MERIT for Five Years faithful Service.
W. Brooks Lt. Col. Com. D. C. Mays B. Major

HEAD-QUARTERS, June the 10 th 1783.
THE within CERTIFICATE shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Secretary
Office Boston March 16 1805
These Certify that John Gorham a Soldier in the late Continental Army has received the Benefit of the Provisions of the Genl. Court of this Commonwealth & this Discharge is delivered by their Order
Sergt John Gorham discharged per order
John Avery Secy
by Dept in his 1-16-1805 Land
3.48 1.16 1.76
4-9-4 2-6-2 1-3-1 0-7-0 1-16-1
James Smith John Gorham
John Gorham B. 30. 487 Mass.
1-16-1805
100 20 60 6 10

John Gorham
No 1905 or 6
Hon.
Secretary of War U.S.
War Dept
Bounty Land office Washington
Revolution
Rec d Dec r 10. 1832
ha day am
by him

Providence, Rhode Island, December 8 th 1832.
Sir
I herewith transmit the papers in relation to the claim for Bounty Land by John Gorham , late a Sargeant in Captain Benjamin Warrens Company, of the 7 th Regiment of the Massachusetts line commanded by Colonel John Brooks, of the Revolutionary Army. — Also the papers in relation to the claim for Bounty Land by the heirs of Robert Smith , late of Barre, in Worcester County, State of Massachusetts: Sec d . — In relation to the claim of the first mentioned Soldier, I would observe that he the said John Gorham is still living in the Town, County, and State aforesaid; and draws a pension under the Act of Congress of the 18 th of March 1818, and is paid the same at Boston in said State; — you will observe an erasure in the application papers of S d Gorham, and am authorised by him to say in explanation thereof, that more than 30 years since, he the S d Gorham gave some sort of a writing, power of Attorneys, or quitclaim, (he is not certain which) unto Perez Rice of the State of Vermont; — and that soon thereafter the said Perez was killed by the fall of a tree, and that he the said Gorham never heard whether the S d Perez ever succeeded in the application for S d Bounty Land or otherwise — If this claim should be considered admissible, you will please to issue a Warrant in satisfaction thereof, and deposit the same in the General Land office accompanied by the enclosed power of Attorney authorising me to draw Scrip thereon: —
In relation to the claim for Bounty Land by the heirs of Robert Smith , I would observe that the said Robert was an Invalid petitioner of the United States previous to the passage of the Act of the 18 th of March 1818; In confirmation of the foregoing statement, I herewith transmit an Instrument purporting to be a power of Attorney authorising an Individual to draw S d Invalid pension, agreeably to an Act referred to in S d Instrument but thro some informality in its execution was left in the possession of S d Robert, and handed to me by his heirs, as corroborative testimony — That the said Robert previous to his Disability served in the Fifth Massachusetts Regiment , commanded by Colonel Rufus Putnam, but after being disabled, was transferred to the Invalid Corps &c.

An authenticated certificate of heirship, also the Deposition of the widow of S d Robert Smith, accompanies this application — and have to request that if this claim should be considered admissible, you will please to issue a Warrant in satisfaction thereof, and forward the same to me at Sandwich, Barnstable County Mass
Sir
At the particular request of John Bemis who was a private sergeant in Captain John Fowles company of the 3 d Regt of the Massachusetts line commanded by Col. Mellen (says that he served at the siege of Yorktown, under Colonel Sproat) of the Revolutionary Army — I am requested to make the enquiry whether ever any Land Warrant has issued in satisfaction of his claim to the same  Land Bounty — further says that he enlisted for the "War" and served to its termination and rec d an honorable discharge at the close of the same — further says that he has never sold his right to S d Bounty Land to any person whatsoever — these enquiries are made for the gratification of S d John Bemis, and the family with whom he has lived ever since the termination of the Revolutionary war, any information the  subject transmitted to me on this subject, will be forwarded to the individuals concerned — S d Bemis lives in the Town of Sturbridge, Worcester County Mass, and draws a pension under the Act of the 14 th of March 1818 — The answer to this enquiry please to forward to the place above designated
Very respectfully Sir, I am your Obedient Servant Reuben Baldwin
Hon
Secretary of War War Dept Bounty Land Office Washington
P. S. The before mentioned Robert Smith S d ; exchanged his Invalid pension, and drew until his decease under the Act of the 14 th of March 1818
J. P. B.

Robt Smith - Res. of Gates Co - Col e Putnam's 5 th Regt Maj d 5 th Line - enlisted 24 Mar 1777 for 3 years - re-enlisted 25 Mar 1779 - joined Invalidity 18 Jan y 1780 "Wear" -
See muster rolls in Pension Office -